Iveco Massif 3.0 HPT in the super test

From old shot and grain: The new Iveco M assif you can see your roots at first glance. Because it is only with the current model that the Italian commercial vehicle professionals have the say in Linares, Andalusia. Until now we knew the vehicle - in the previous version - as the Santana PS-10. And where it got its formal language from, you can take a look at the company history of Santana, which was founded in 1956 as a manufacturer of agricultural machinery. In 1961, the Spaniards entered into a joint venture with Land Rover and from then on built the Series II Landys under license. Protected by huge import duties, business developed splendidly. In Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Algeria, Santana sold many all-wheel drive vehicles at the time.

Iveco was previously only an engine supplier

The eventful one The history of Santana - among other things as a license manufacturer for Suzuki off-road vehicles - reached a new high in 1998 when the PS-10, baptized Anibal, was introduced. The Santana was not a great success with us, due to the rather sluggish series production and the thin dealer network. Everything should be different with the new one, because Iveco - until now only as an engine supplier on board - wants to take care of the marketing of the rustic cross-border commuter itself.

The 176 hp version was tested of the Iveco

The Italians bring their biggest pound with them: the Euro 4 version of the Daily engine. Even the predecessor four-cylinder, 128 hp, had a reputation like Donnerhall and nailed not only the PS-10 and the Transporter Daily, but also thousands of times in other commercial vehicles. In the current edition, the four-cylinder has grown to three liters and has increased power and torque tremendously. Our test car came to Horstwalde in the 176 hp version - anyone who knows the current Defender Td4 just rubs their eyes in amazement: The start is spectacular and it happens without a hitch. In practically every speed range, a vigorous step on the right pedal is enough to lift the five-door model out of its springs and fire it. The casually wide speed range, in which the full charge is available, does thatSix-speed gearbox almost superfluous in everyday life - you can easily skip one or two gears and shift 1-3-6.

The Iveco Massif relies on leaf springs on both rigid axles

Not just the sheer power because you have to like the engine. The wide oil change intervals of 40,000 kilometers also tell of a good education by experienced commercial vehicle professionals. However, we were particularly curious about the behavior of the chassis under the extreme conditions of the super test. Because the Massif still relies on leaf spring packages on both rigid axles. However, standard springs are not used, as were common in almost every off-road vehicle in the 1970s, but parabolic springs that are stored separately in the packages. This means less wear and tear (no abrasive dirt can get stuck between the layers) and, above all, a significantly softer suspension behavior.

Long distances are also no problem for the Iveco

That turns out to be very comfortable on the street. In conjunction with the magnificent motor, even marathon stages over several hundred kilometers can be covered at a comfortable walking speed. Only the adventurous background noise in the almost uninsulated body ensures that long journeys are better done with ear plugs. The Iveco runs up to 170 km /h, but in everyday life it is left with 130 healthy things. One reason for this is the system-related life of the suspension, which also takes care of axle guidance. When you have to brake at high speed in an emergency, there is a lot of life in the load, so a firm hand is required. Rough upheavals or potholes in the slope cause the steering wheel to tremble because the leaf springs introduce additional impulses into the steering. On bad ground, the spring packages reach their functional limit anyway when driving fast, then it gets rough and bumpy.

ABS, airbags and ESP are not available

Commendable on the other hand is the available interior space. Defender drivers in particular are amazed at the fact that they can take a reasonable seat on an identical floor plan. The driver in particular is more comfortable and airy than in the English model. As with this one, all modern safety technology is dispensed with in the Massif: Airbags and ESP are not available, and ABS is not even available for an extra charge on the Iveco. The resulting braking distances, partly due to the soft A /T tires in our test car, require a proactive driving style.